Abstract: Objective To understand the epidemic situation of schistosomiasis in high-risk areas of Anhui Province during the flood damage in 2020 for taking effective measures to quickly respond to and eliminate the risk of infection. Methods Four high-risk environments of schistosomiasis associated with flood damage were selected in Chizhou,Tongling and Ma’anshan,the areas locating along the upper,middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River within Anhui Province. Infectivity of the water body was detected using intelligent sentinel mice and bionic animal skin devices(About 20 sentinel mice and 40 bionic animal skin devices were set in each environment). In addition,demographic characteristics as well as the history of infection and contact with the epidemic water were obtained from the permanent residents and floating population aged 6 years and above in high-risk environments. Indirect hemagglutination assay kit was used to detect the antibodies against schistosome,and the results were subjected to epidemiological analysis. Results The intelligent sentinel mice retrieved from the water body within the four high-risk environments showed no infection with schistosome. Of the 40 pieces of bionic animal skin devices set in each water environment,specific DNA of cercariae was detected in 6 and 2,respectively retrieved  from Shengli town of Dongzhi County and Huyang town of Dangtu County. A total of 1 580 people around the high-risk environment underwent schistosoma antibody test,positive antibody was found 115,with an average positive rate of 7. 28%. The highest positive rate of blood test was seen in population in Huyang town of Dangtu County (10. 78%). There was significant difference in the positive rate of blood test between different genders ( χ2 = 17. 199,P<0. 001),yet the difference was insignificant between different age group and occupations. The positive rate of blood test was significantly higher in population with history of infection than in those without infection history( χ2 = 13. 144,P<0. 001),nevertheless,there was no statistical significance in the positive rate of blood test among population with or without history of exposure to the high-risk water environment,different reasons in contacting the infectious water and protective measures taken during contact in the past three months. Conclusion Transmission can be potential in the high-risk areas of schistosomiasis in the Yangtze River Basin within Anhui Province. In order to eliminate the risk and prevent resurgence of the epidemic,prevention and control measures against the risk should be put in place during and after the flood damage.

Key words: Schistosomiasis, Flood damage, Endemic situation, Anhui Province